Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of President-elect Donald Trump, announced on Saturday that she will not pursue the position of Florida senator, effectively putting an end to the speculation about her potential replacement for Republican Senator Marco Rubio. Rubio is slated to be appointed as secretary of state in the incoming administration.

In a post on X, Lara Trump expressed, “After an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many, I have decided to remove my name from consideration for the United States Senate.” She also hinted at a forthcoming significant announcement in January.

This decision comes just weeks after she revealed her resignation as co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), a move that led to discussions regarding her interest in a Senate seat.

Should Rubio be confirmed in his new role, the task of selecting a replacement will fall to Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who will appoint someone to serve until the next scheduled election in 2026.

Elected co-chair of the RNC in March, Lara Trump played a significant role in the GOP’s success in reclaiming the White House and the Senate, while also preserving a narrow majority in the House. Her next steps could influence the trajectory of Republican politics, particularly given her increased visibility and relationship with the incoming president.

The prospect of appointing a family member of Trump to the Senate was supported by several Republicans, including Maye Musk, the mother of Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. Lara Trump appointed Musk to co-lead a group focused on decreasing federal spending and regulations during the upcoming presidential term.

Rubio is expected to receive a prompt confirmation from his Senate colleagues for his new role. Governor DeSantis has indicated that Floridians should expect to learn who their next senator will be by early January.